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naraburns  nihil supernum  2yr ago (text post)   Edited 2yr ago   5649 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for November 13, 2022

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I want to write a post comparing Capitalism to a religion, specifically talking about the cult of the founder. Anyone have good reading material on the topic?

Ray Dalio's Principles is a good example of an actual "Bible" of a cult-of-the-founder.

You might want to read The Divine Right of Capital by Marjorie Kelly. I read it a number of years ago and recall finding it very insightful.

I'd consider myself a pro-capitalist (classically liberal, libertarian, anarcho-capitalist are all labels that apply), but I have no idea about who would be the "founder". I suppose Adam Smith might qualify. His books apparently still hold up, but I haven't read them.

ahh I just realized you were talking about startups. I wouldn't consider that Capitalism, its just small organization formation. Like non-profits can still have cults of the founder.

My favorite line, that I've not heard elsewhere: there's nothing in this world so fascist as a CEO. Startups aren't fascist exactly, but they aren't about the free market, or at least that's not what OP is getting at.

It's always been a question in economics, "if forms are run through central planning and hierarchy, why can't the whole economy be run that way?" There have been a few noble prizes in economics handed out for people that answered parts of the puzzle.

The most efficient form of government would be benevolent dictator (if you could solve the alignment problem).

A startup trying to follow free market economies internally would be quickly outpaced by every other company in the world.

Isn't a startup trying to follow free market economies internally a possible way to discribe companies like Uber, at least for the main worker's relationships.

Interesting counterpoint! It’s tempting to say they’re not employees but that seems like an uninteresting detail. I’m gonna have to ponder on what makes that different.

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